So, for various reasons, we are attempting to eliminate gluten from our diet. It’s actually not as difficult as I had imagined. In fact, the biggest mental block for me was finding a replacement for sourdough. So, I told that to one of my friends who was encouraging me to give GF a try. Lo and behold, there is a GF sourdough, srsly. And, as it happens, we have tried it, and it’s really good. Like other GF breads, it sort of crumbles apart if you handle it too much, but the taste is pretty damn good considering it’s GF.

So, in addition to consulting with my current GF friends, and doing some searching on google and Pinterest, I also picked up a couple of books to help me wrap my head around going GF. Incidentally, we are also trying to eliminate dairy, but since dairy includes cheese and yogurt, it is much much harder for our family. So right now, I am just trying to minimize it until we have the gluten down, then we can reevaluate. I’ve also heard good things about raw milk from many friends who currently consume it.

Like I said before, considering where we live, and the abundance of health food stores, and the fact that even our Trader Joe’s and Safeway carry gluten free options, so far it has not been as difficult as I had anticipated. I’m sure that eating out will be more difficult– however, there are many restaurants around us that offer gluten free options.

Snacks are still a huge priority on my list, because cooking an elaborate meal isn’t possible 5 times a day, and it’s nice to have a variety of different foods to eat.

I have also noticed that when you have less snacks on hand, everyone eats less. Which is kind of interesting. The kids, for example, don’t stop eating, they just switch what they are eating. For example, my 4 year old apparently loves bananas all of a sudden. My 6 year old is all about apples and avocados. My 7 year old, who happens to like leady green vegetables, has been carrying around a bag of arugula at various times of the day. Yes, even at breakfast time. I know, what the heck? But srsly. Instead of eating those cereal bars that are packed with sugar and all kinds of whatever other processed crap, my kids are greedily mowing through fruits and veggies. It’s gotten to the point where I have signed up for a local CSA, and I’m really excited about it. I think the kids are too!

Here’s some stuff I have made so far:

GF rainbow sprinkle birthday pancakes!

Ok, so my phone is completely messed up and won’t let me import any other photos, oy. So here is a typed list of what I have made recently, ALL GF:

Sourdough croutons (from the bread srsly loaf), which were made into stuffing with kale, 2 kinds of chicken sausage, and aged parmesan

LOTS of smoothies. With fruit only, with kale much of the time, and soon with carrots. In fact, my 6 year old wanted to get this as one of her birthday presents 101 Best Smoothies & Juices I’m really looking forward to the Pumpkin one, how fall! I’m dying for a juicer to make all the ones with ginger, they sound wonderful!

I have also seen gluten free trail mix at Costco.

So, anyway, that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately, in addition to figuring out the right vitamins and supplements to take. It could be because I am nearing 30 (next week), but moreso I think because I am taking the time to evaluate making healthy choices a larger part of our daily routine. Right now is the best time to build upon our kids’ knowledge of how fun it can be to go to the farmer’s market to pick out foods, where they come from, and how they make us feel. It’s pretty exciting stuff, IMO!